{"id":47763,"date":"2026-07-07T15:08:42","date_gmt":"2026-07-07T20:08:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.und.edu\/und-today\/?p=47763"},"modified":"2026-07-10T07:40:16","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T12:40:16","slug":"und-connect-toolkit-teaches-students-about-storytelling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.und.edu\/und-today\/2026\/07\/und-connect-toolkit-teaches-students-about-storytelling\/","title":{"rendered":"UND CONNECT: Toolkit teaches students about storytelling"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Project helps small towns preserve their stories while building a resource for teachers across North Dakota\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_47770\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-47770\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-47770 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.und.edu\/und-today\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/07\/1-IMG_0010-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"RTA records b-roll footage while students while in the TRIO suite\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.und.edu\/und-today\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/07\/1-IMG_0010-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.und.edu\/und-today\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/07\/1-IMG_0010-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.und.edu\/und-today\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/07\/1-IMG_0010-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.und.edu\/und-today\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/07\/1-IMG_0010-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blogs.und.edu\/und-today\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/07\/1-IMG_0010-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/blogs.und.edu\/und-today\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/07\/1-IMG_0010-1320x880.jpg 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-47770\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A resident tutor advisor records b-roll footage as students participate in the Rural Storytelling Toolkit workshop in the TRIO suite. Photo by Chloe Piekkola\/UND Today.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Every community has stories worth telling. But whether they get told can depend on something more practical: access to the storyteller\u2019s tools.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">That access is what the Rural Storytelling Toolkit hopes to provide. Developed through a <a href=\"https:\/\/und.edu\/academics\/provost\/faculty-affairs\/und-connect.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>UND CONNECT<\/strong><\/a> Grant, the resource helps educators across rural North Dakota teach journalism, media literacy and community storytelling.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Developed by UND Communication Assistant Professor <a href=\"https:\/\/campus.und.edu\/directory\/emily.gibbensbuteau\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Emily Gibbens-Buteau<\/strong><\/a> in partnership with the North Dakota Newspaper Association, the Rural Storytelling Toolkit was created in response to the decline of local journalism and media education in rural communities.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The\u00a0open\u00a0educational\u00a0resource provides ready-to-use lessons that educators can incorporate into\u00a0any\u00a0classroom.\u00a0Each activity encourages students to explore\u00a0various aspects of\u00a0journalism while building critical thinking, ethical\u00a0reporting,\u00a0and responsible communication skills.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_47780\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-47780\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-47780 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.und.edu\/und-today\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/07\/IMG_9950-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Two RTA&apos;s lead a workshop, guiding students through the fundamentals of interviewing.\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.und.edu\/und-today\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/07\/IMG_9950-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.und.edu\/und-today\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/07\/IMG_9950-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.und.edu\/und-today\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/07\/IMG_9950-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.und.edu\/und-today\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/07\/IMG_9950-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blogs.und.edu\/und-today\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/07\/IMG_9950-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/blogs.und.edu\/und-today\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/07\/IMG_9950-1320x880.jpg 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-47780\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Brenden Kimpe and Jalen DeCoteau lead a Rural Storytelling Toolkit workshop, guiding students through the fundamentals of interviewing. Photo by Chloe Piekkola\/UND Today.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Before the toolkit could reach classrooms across North Dakota, it needed a classroom to get started in. Working within the halls of O\u2019Kelly Hall, <a href=\"https:\/\/und.edu\/student-life\/trio\/upward-bound\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>UND&#8217;s TRIO Upward Bound<\/strong><\/a> program became that landing space.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">TRIO Upward Bound is a program funded through the U.S. Department of Education serving high school students preparing for postsecondary education. During the six-week summer program, the students \u2014 often the first members of their families to be considering college \u2014 live on campus while participating in academic courses and college readiness activities.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">When Gibbens-Buteau approached the program with the idea, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><a href=\"https:\/\/campus.und.edu\/directory\/derek.sporbert\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Derek Sporbert<\/strong><\/a>, director of TRIO Programs at UND, said the project fit naturally within Upward Bound&#8217;s mission of preparing students for what comes next.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cThey&#8217;re here for five to six weeks in the summertime taking additional classes,\u201d Sporbert said. \u201cI think that kind of speaks loads to who they are.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Each Friday throughout the program is dedicated to a new area of career exploration. This summer, in recognition of Upward Bound&#8217;s 60th anniversary, one of those Fridays included discovering how students tell their own stories. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Graduate student Brenden Kimpe and Upward Bound alumni Jalen DeCoteau adapted the toolkit into a one-day workshop, introducing students to the various aspects of telling a story. Rather than introducing journalism as a career path alone, the workshop emphasized storytelling as a skill applicable across professions. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Students worked in small groups to interview peers, staff and alumni before producing short videos celebrating Upward Bound&#8217;s 60-year history. The toolkit gave students a way to explore future careers while strengthening communication skills they\u2019ll carry into any profession.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Throughout the workshop, students discussed media literacy, recognizing misinformation and understanding the ethical responsibility that comes with telling someone else&#8217;s story. They learned to verify facts, use quotes honestly and avoid editing interviews in ways that change a speaker&#8217;s intended meaning.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Kimpe encouraged students to approach interviews with curiosity and patience.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cInterviewing can help us learn about new perspectives,\u201d\u00a0he told the class.\u00a0\u201cThey can help us learn about new people and\u00a0different\u00a0places.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_47781\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-47781\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-47781 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.und.edu\/und-today\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/07\/260619-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Students smile as they record each other for interviews\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.und.edu\/und-today\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/07\/260619-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.und.edu\/und-today\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/07\/260619-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.und.edu\/und-today\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/07\/260619-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.und.edu\/und-today\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/07\/260619-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blogs.und.edu\/und-today\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/07\/260619-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/blogs.und.edu\/und-today\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/07\/260619-1320x880.jpg 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-47781\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Students practice different camera angles with each other as part of a Rural Storytelling Toolkit workshop. Photo by Chloe Piekkola\/UND Today.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">As part of the Rural Storytelling Toolkit, students were tasked with documenting the people and moments that have shaped Upward Bound over the past 60 years. In the process of preserving Upward Bound&#8217;s story, students became part of it themselves. The videos were shared during the program&#8217;s anniversary celebration. But few people embodied that history better than Resident Tutor Advisor Jalen DeCoteau.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">For DeCoteau, taking part in teaching those lessons carried an added layer of meaning. As an Upward Bound alum pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in printmaking at the University of Nebraska, DeCoteau returned to the UND program as a resident tutor advisor after spending years as a student. Now, he&#8217;s helping students sitting where he once sat learn how to tell stories of their own.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">His connection to Upward Bound extends beyond his own experience. His grandfather\u00a0participated\u00a0in the program decades ago, followed by DeCoteau, his\u00a0brother,\u00a0and now his\u00a0younger sister.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Once an Upward Bound student himself, DeCoteau now stands\u00a0at the front of the classroom, helping the next generation tell their\u00a0stories\u00a0that will carry the program into its next 60 years.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cWe&#8217;re trying to teach the students how to tell stories honestly. You still want to be honest about who you&#8217;re writing about while still having a strong message,\u201d DeCoteau said.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW146333537 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW146333537 BCX0\">For Upward Bound Bridge Coordinator \u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/campus.und.edu\/directory\/kelly.kennedy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Kelly Kennedy<\/strong><\/a>, <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW146333537 BCX0\">that&#8217;s<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW146333537 BCX0\"> exactly what made the partnership meaningful.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cWe were already doing work like that,\u201d she said. \u201cWe loved the idea of educating and giving everyone a chance to tell their stories.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Project helps small towns preserve their stories while building a resource for teachers across North Dakota\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":260,"featured_media":47770,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-47763","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-around-und"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.4 - 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